The Impact of Breathing on Diaphragm Function

Many people are unaware that our breathing habits can have profound impacts on other functions in our body and thus our health. This includes impact on muscular function.

The Diaphragm: A Muscle Shaped by the Way We Breathe

One muscle that is directly impacted by our breathing habit is our diaphragm. The biggest single factor impacting the ability of our diaphragm to move correctly is mouth breathing. Mouth breathing day or night - even if not constantly - will result in the diaphragm losing its range of motion over time becoming weaker and tighter. If left untreated this weakening and tightening of the diaphragm will progress with the result for many, that they become a permanent upper chest breather. This dysfunction can limit fitness and sports capacity and lead to health conditions, including sleep disorders.

When we mouth breathe, we over inflate the upper lobes of the lungs and engage our accessory respiratory muscles, the intercostal, as the primary muscular force for breathing. When mouth breathing is occurring, the diaphragm is not engaged leading to the weakening and tightening of that muscle. This in turn, can lead to a greater reliance on mouth and upper chest breathing thus exacerbating the problem.

From Calm to Stress: The Nervous System Shift

The decreasing use of the diaphragm also contributes to an increase in nervous system activity. We start to move from relaxed parasympathetic system to the stressed fight or flight system due to the increase in adrenal output caused by the lack of diaphragmatic movement. We also miss out on our relaxing diaphragm internal massage which we are supposed to have breath by breath. This shift to sympathetic nervous system dominance increases inflammation in the body which can lead to many other health conditions.

Weakened Diaphragm = Weakened Immunity

A reduction in diaphragm movement also reduces the capacity of the body to circulate lymphatic fluid around the body thus compromising our immune system. Many people who have an excessive mouth and upper chest breathing pattern suffer a depletion of their immune system over time. This increases the risk of infections, impedes recovery from infections, and can increase allergic responses in the body.

Ensuring full diaphragm function through establishing an optimal breathing habit is vital for our health.

Article written by Dean O'Rourke • Elite Performance Breathing Coach & Orofacial Therapist

Learn more about Breathing Therapy here at ATUNE.